England’s best
known historic forests will be protected for future generations
under proposals announced by Environment Secretary Caroline
Spelman today. The transfer of heritage forests such as the New
Forest and the Forest of Dean to charitable trusts will mean
walkers, riders and cyclists will still be able to enjoy them as
they do at the moment.
The proposals are contained in a consultation document on the
ownership and management of the 18% of England’s woodland
currently run by the Forestry Commission. The document lays out
different approaches for different types of woodlands.
The plans make clear that these woodlands will not simply be sold
off to the highest bidder. Instead they recognise that no two
woodlands are the same and that no single ownership model is
appropriate. The document suggests a mixed approach that would
deliver benefits for users and taxpayers, and makes clear that
public access and biodiversity will be protected. The government
will bring forward amendments to the Public Bodies Bill to ensure
the public benefits the forests provide are protected.
The key proposals in the consultation document are that:
Heritage and community forests which provide high public
benefits will be protected by inviting new or existing charitable
organisations to take on ownership or management.
There will be opportunities created for community and civil
society groups to buy or lease forests.
Commercially valuable forests will be leased to commercial
operators. Leasing rather than selling will allow the lease
conditions to ensure that the public benefits of these woodlands
are preserved while allowing the operators to maximise their
commercial potential.
These changes of ownership will allow the Forestry Commission to
focus on its key roles of responding to outbreaks of tree pests
and diseases, regulating felling and setting standards for
sustainable forest management. The proposals would remedy the
situation where the Commission is the largest commercial operator
in the sector it also regulates.
The Government has already committed to taking 15% of the public
forest estate out of state control over the course of this
parliament, generating up to £100million of receipts. The
consultation paper launched today invites views on a range of
ownership and management options for the remaining 85% of the
estate. This will be an open consultation and Government will
listen to all responses before publishing its response in the summer.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
“State control of forests dates back to the First World War, when
needs were very different. There’s now no reason for the
Government to be in the business of timber production and forest
management. It’s time for the Government to step back and allow
those who are most involved with England’s woodlands to play a
much greater role in their future.
“We want to move from a ‘Big Government’ approach to a ‘Big
Society’ one, so that we can give different groups – individuals,
businesses and civil society organisations – the opportunity to be
involved in managing the natural environment. And we will make
sure that public access is maintained and biodiversity protected.”
On amending the Public Bodies Bill, Mrs Spelman said:
“The government is absolutely committed to the ongoing provision
and protection of the public benefits provided by the public
forest estate, and the consultation shows how we intend to achieve
this. We will bring forward amendments to the Public Bodies Bill
to create a strengthened framework to safeguard the natural and
social capital our forests provide now and for future generations.
This would apply to the powers of sale, lease and management of
the public forest estate. The consultation proposes that
conditions will be attached to leases so that access and other
public benefits are protected.”
The public forest estate makes up 18% of all woods and forests
and 2% of the total land in England. The estate delivers a wide
range of important public benefits, which will be protected, such
as supporting biodiversity, storing carbon, supplying timber and
energy and providing access to green space for recreation and
employment opportunities. The Forestry Commission has long bought
and sold land but any woodland sold under the new proposals would
benefit from increased protection.
Pam Warhurst, Chair of the Forestry Commission, said:
"Ministers have set out a new vision for forestry in
England that will require a fundamental shift in our thinking and
how we work. The proposals provide an opportunity to think about
forest ownership and sustainable land management in a new way and
to engage a wider cross-section of society. The consultation will
allow people to have their say and we encourage everyone with an
interest to give us their views."
The Forestry Commission will continue to provide expertise on a
wide range of tree-related matters, including tree health, the
environmental role of woodlands, the links with climate change
mitigation and adaptation, and the social and economic benefits of
forestry.
Reform of the public forestry estate is expected to take place
over the next decade with the Government’s overall policy approach
to domestic forestry being set out in the Natural Environment
White Paper in spring 2011.
Notes to editors
The consultation will run from 27 January 2011 to 21 April 2011.
Details of the consultation can be found here:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forests/index.htm or on the
Forestry Commission website at:
www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfeconsultation.
The proposals set out in the consultation are designed to
protect public and environmental benefits:
a) We will secure continuing good stewardship by requiring
adherence to internationally recognised standards of sustainable
forest management as part of any leasing arrangements. These
standards cover in particular, woodland design, conservation and
enhancement of biodiversity and the well-being of local
communities and forestry workers;
b) Statutory rights of way and dedications under the right to
roam legislation will remain in place. Where there is currently
permissive access, for example by bike and horse, we will seek to
secure equivalent rights as part of any transfer to new owners and
managers;
c) The Forestry Commission’s felling regime will remain in place,
alongside the presumption of replanting. Any change of use will be
subject to strict controls under the planning system. It is simply
wrong to suggest that our forests will be chopped down for housing
development or conversion into golf courses; and
d) We will seek to agree the continuing restoration of
plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) with any new owners
and managers.
There are numerous safeguards in place which will ensure that
public benefits provided by our woods and forests are protected if
they pass into private ownership. These safeguards include:
regulations governing felling and replanting;protection for
biodiversity through the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Sites of
Special Scientific Interest;incentives to protect ancient
woodland;guarantees for public access – the majority of the
freehold areas of the public forestry estate are protected for
access on foot by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act;protection
of ancient monuments is overseen by English Heritage;any proposals
for development would be subject to the Town and Country Planning
process; and Biosecurity - the Plant Health Act sets out a legal
framework for the control of pests and diseases of forest tress
and timber.
The Forestry Commission has always bought and sold land to
achieve operational efficiency. In last ten years, they have sold
7,800ha and acquired 5,400ha of woodland.
Selling 15% of the public forest estate is part of Defra’s
Spending Review settlement and will help to contribute to tackling
the deficit. The sites that will be sold will be woodlands where
Forestry Commission activity adds the least in enhanced public
benefit and do not contribute significant revenue to the running
of the estate.
Any forest or wood for which a suitable offer cannot be achieved
will continue to be part of the publicly owned forest estate.
This consultation focuses on the public forest estate in England.
The woodland managed by the Forestry Commission in Wales and
Scotland is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government
and the Scottish Government respectively and is not subject to
this consultation.
9/11
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Martin Deller
Phone: 020 7238 5334
martin.deller@defra.gsi.gov.uk